Why Press Tobacco???

[anthonyrosenthal74]

give the plugs time to age after taking them out of the press, they’ll improve. Straight out of the press the flavors are a bit muted, like a freshly opened bottle of wine but for different reasons.

Interesting. As good as mine was straight out of the press, and again on the second day, it should be fantastic after a little time then.

 

[trouttimes]

Just tried my first pressing. Lane BCA and Golden Va. It really helped both blends smooth out and boy does it burn slow not to mention takes a lot less room in the cellar.

Now to see if I can help make Haunted Bookshop smokeable. What should I mix with HB to smooth out the jagged edges?

 

[renfield]

Trout, that’s exactly what I’ve found. The press really knocks off those rough edges. I was surprised how much the burn slowed down as well.
I need to do an experiment. Make a plug, let it sit for a few weeks, then break it back apart to preserve the original cut. Then compare it to the original blend.

 

[trouttimes]

Refield, I just finished my third bowl of the stuff and wow, what a difference. I can't wait to press other blends and see if I just got lucky or if this is the results most of the time.

 

[hawky454]

Pressed Match Victorian is an excellent Vaper, I highly recommend giving that one a try! It’s amazing how much darker the puck comes out after just 8 days. By itself Match Victorian is a good blend, when it’s pressed it's superb!

 

[anthonyrosenthal74]

not to mention takes a lot less room in the cellar.

No kidding! I'm contemplating pressing all of my bulk blends so they take up less jars, so I can then fill those emptied jars with more stuff :mrgreen:

 

[krizzose]

The press finally arrived today. I washed and dried it, then put in about 2 ounces of various Virginias, a touch of burley, Perique and a little bit of a super sweet rum aromatic. I can’t wait until later this week

 

[trouttimes]

Krizz you will be surprised at the results and wonder why you haven't tried this before.

 

[jpmcwjr]

I'm getting itchy to try this.
Has anyone stoved during the press?

 

[anthonyrosenthal74]

Has anyone stoved during the press?

I've considered the idea but my press has some plastic parts. Probably best to stove before pressing.

 

[ben88]

How badly stoving funks up the oven?

 

[brooklynpiper]

Oooh - an interesting question. I assume if the jars and tins are sealed, no scent should escape, correct?

 

[jpmcwjr]

I'd think there could be a major problem with sealed tins or jars, such as an explosion when the pressure builds up as the contents expand.
A good question; one I've considered but have no answer for. Have to wait till the wife is away for a few days.

 

[ben88]

Possible explosion can easily contained by putting jar/tin into the pot with lid. Perhaps what would also prevent smell-o-fone in the oven, if pot has a good seal.

 

[krizzose]

I’ve got it cranked down so hard that some tobacco has been forced through 2 layers of foil to push out a couple of the holes in the noodle die, and the die itself is bulged out just a bit. So far there’s only been a small amount of juice that leaked out. Can’t wait to try it

 

[krizzose]

I took out the plug last night. I’ll spare you the photos, as it looks exactly like Anthony’s. It is very hard, and even though it’s compressed ribbon cut, I have to slice it like a flake, as it won’t crumble. I tore apart the flakes to a broken flake consistency for a modified fold and stuff.
I smoked some of the unpressed mixture last night and I’m about through with my first bowl of the pressed version. There are some noticeable differences. There was about 7% Perique, which I know from some previous blends I’ve made is plenty to be noticeable, and it was very much so in the unpressed version. In the pressed the Perique was much more muted. The dark fruit taste was about the same, but the spiciness really faded away and is only there as a little tingle in the retrohale. Similarly, the influence of the rum aromatic (Treasure Island from the Country Squire) (12% of the blend) was also considerably subdued in the pressed. The Virginias (36% each of Sutliff RVR and H&H Marble Kake, and 12% McClelland Stoved Va) are slightly less zesty. Burns much cooler pressed, as would be expected, even a little wetter than I would normally dry it (I got impatient). To sum up, pressing made it significantly cooler and mellower, with every rough edge present before rounded off, at least to my subjective palate. I like it quite a bit, but I’ll have to have a few more smokes before I decide whether to tweak the blend, but I think making 2 or 3 to age will be a good idea.
Next plug I think will be a VaOr with some unsweetened black cavendish.

 

[trouttimes]

I pressed Half and Half 50% with Golden Va 50% for a week. Much closer to my taste.

 

[renfield]

Anybody still pressing?
Just finishing a plug of red va/Smyrna/bright va. An all day smoke, even in the heat and humidity.
Remember, you’re not trying to achieve a critical mass, no need to crank down more than you can achieve by hand. More time in the press works wonders. One week is adequate. Two is slightly better IME. Keep calm and press on.

 

[logs]

I have a question for pressing experts. I've noticed in the C&D video about making Union Square, the blend goes through three different pressings, all at different press weights. They don't seem to change anything else in production other than move the blend to a different press and crush it some more. What is the reason for this? Why not just use one press for the full period of pressing?

 

[tidalwave]

This is some LBF after six days in a press. It is noticeably sweeter and smoother.
https://imgur.com/a/9iafJ3n
Hmmm. Need to figure out image embed I guess.